456-P: Targeted Deletion of Insulin Receptor in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Accelerated Thinning of Plaque Cap and Apoptosis and Atherosclerosis

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role in the development of the stability of atherosclerotic plaque. We reported that knockout of insulin receptor (IR), but not IGF1 receptor, in VSMCs reduced intimal hyperplasia of femoral artery after wire injury. To investigate the role of IR in VSMCs on atherosclerotic plaque, ApoE and smooth muscle cells IR double knockout (SMIRKO/ApoE-/-) mice were generated. Extent of lipid deposition and atherosclerosis were increased in the aorta of SMIRKO/ApoE-/- mice compared to control mice (p Disclosure Q. Li: None. J. Fu: None. K. Park: None. Y. Zaitsu: Employee; Self; Sunstar Group. R. St-Louis: None. C. Rask-Madsen: None. G.L. King: Research Support; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01DK053105)